Austrian violinist Johannes Fleischmann in conversation with Antoine Lévy-Leboyer

Vienna violinist Johannes Fleischmann spoke to Seen and Heard on the release of his new album EXODUS: The Men Who Shaped Hollywood, celebrating the music of two Jewish Austrian composers who fled World War II to California: Erich Korngold and Eric Zeisl. Antoine Lévy-Leboyer: For those who do not live in Vienna and who would … Read more

English National Opera and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s ENO Breathe goes nationwide

English National Opera and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust announce national rollout of ENO Breathe programme for people recovering from COVID-19

Following the success of an initial six week pilot, English National Opera (ENO) today announces that ENO Breathe is to be rolled out nationally, beginning today.

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Rick Perdian in conversation with Julian Gargiulo and María Dueñas

Julian Gargiulo and María Dueñas talk to Rick Perdian

María Dueñas

Julian Gargiulo is a pianist, composer and recording artist who has performed widely in North America, Europe and Asia. He was named a Steinway Artist in 2014, a title conferred upon the best pianists of the day. Like other Steinway Artists, Gargiulo has chosen to perform exclusively on Steinways, possesses his own Steinway piano and receives no remuneration for doing so. The latter is unique among product endorsements, as is Getting to Carnegie, the annual international music competition founded by Gargiulo in 2015.

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Pianist and author Jack Kohl discusses his new book of essays with Robert Beattie

Robert Beattie in conversation with pianist and author Jack Kohl  Jack Kohl is a pianist and writer from the north shore of Long Island, New York. In 2019 he published a series of essays, Bone over Ivory: Essays from a Standing Pianist. In 2021 he follows this up with a new series of essays, From … Read more

The Kathleen Ferrier Awards Competition 2020 announces winners

KATHLEEN FERRIER AWARDS 2020

The prize winners of the 65th Kathleen Ferrier Awards Competition were announced on 13 December at the end of the competition’s final, streamed from Southwark’s Henry Wood Hall.

Jessica Cale

The prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Awards, held annually in memory of the great British contralto, are renowned for kick-starting the careers of outstandingly talented young singers. This year Jessica Cale won the first prize of £12,500. Jessica, from Pembrokeshire, studied at the Royal College of Music, having already worked extensively with The Sixteen and the Monteverdi Choir. She has appeared with the Gabrieli Consort, at Ryedale Festival Opera and was a finalist in the 2020 London Handel Festival Singing Competition.

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Sometimes a Light Surprises: J.M.W. Turner at Tate Britain

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; It is the Lord, who rises with healing in his wings: when comforts are declining, he grants the soul again a season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain. William Cowper (pronounced Cooper) was one of the earliest of the nineteenth century romantic poets, much … Read more

The latest opus of Graham Johnson: Francis Poulenc: The Life in the Songs

He who would valiant be ‘Gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy Follow the Master. There’s no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent To be a pilgrim Who so beset him round With dismal stories, Do but themselves confound His strength the more is. No foes shall stay his might, Though … Read more